HEKS/EPER is making a difference in the «Access to land and resources» in Senegal

Senegal's rural dwellers face dwindling prospects of leading a life with sufficient income. Among the reasons why many smallholder and cattle-rearing families can no longer make ends meet are undersized plots of land, soil erosion, lack of rain, as well as insufficient production resources. For some years now their plight has been compounded by land speculation and land grabbing by investors. Smallholder families without official land titles risk losing their land. The living space for cattle-rearing families and their herds is also under threat from what is known as the «agricultural front». HEKS/EPER and local partner organizations support smallholder and cattle-rearing families in Senegal in building a stable livelihood for themselves.

Facts

Thanks to HEKS/EPER, 9000 smallholders and cattle farmers boosted their incomes in 2017.

Some 1700 people gained access to 550 hectares of land.

Rural communities need unimpeded access to natural resources such as land, water, pastures, savannahs or forests if they are to develop. The possibility to use these resources is critical to fighting hunger and poverty. Agriculture is, after all, the most important source of income for many rural communities. With crop farming, small plantations, livestock rearing, fishing or gathering they can secure their food supply and generate income by selling their produce. Land also serves communities as living space and reinforces cultural and spiritual identity. Many rural communities still lack access to land or risk losing it despite existing or traditional law. HEKS/EPER therefore helps them, through numerous projects, to secure long-term access to land and resources, both practically and legally.

Senegal Country Programme

Livelihoods for small farmers and cattle rearers

HEKS/EPER supports people in Senegal in securing access to land, in sustainably managing natural resources and in tapping new sources of income.